Policies & Procedures

Conditional Importation

ATF may authorize firearms, ammunition and implements of war to be imported for examination by ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch to determine their import status. Items which are determined to be nonimportable generally must be forfeited to the United States government, exported under a State Department license, or destroyed under Customs supervision. 18 U.S.C. § 925(d); 26 U.S.C. § 5844.

Conditional importation is also allowed for articles imported for storage in a CBP Bonded Warehouse (CBW) or in a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ).

When ATF approves a conditional importation, the ATF F 5330.3A (Form 6, Part I) is stamped “CONDITIONAL IMPORTATION PER ATTACHMENT” in red letters. The applicant will also receive a letter attachment outlining the reasons why this application was conditionally approved and providing further importation instructions.

If CBP releases the firearm(s) to you or your broker under conditional importation, it is your responsibility to forward the firearm(s) to ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch. You are not required to affix the required markings of 18 U.S.C. § 923(i); 27 CFR § 478.92 and 26 U.S.C. § 5842; 27 CFR § 479.102 to conditionally imported firearms; however, if you do, ATF will consider them in its evaluation.

ATF F 5330.3A (Form 6, Part I) — Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition, and Implements of War

ATF F 5330.3B (Form 6, Part II) — Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (for use by members of the US Armed Forces)

ATF F 5330.3C (ATF E Form 6A) — Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War